Dear Dr. Zac,<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been seeing a lot of influencers online talking about the carnivore diet and eating raw meat like it\u2019s the key to perfect health. I started following this guy who goes by the name of the \u2018Liver King\u2019<\/a>, who loves eating kilos of raw liver each week and preaching animal-based everything. But now I\u2019ve heard he\u2019s had some serious health issues? Is eating this way actually healthy, or is it going to destroy my insides (let alone my teeth from all the associated vomiting!)? Should I be worried if I\u2019m thinking of trying it?<\/p>\n \u2013 Will, 27, Darwin<\/p>\n Dr. Zac weighs in on whether a raw meat diet is bad for you. BublikHaus \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n Ah, the carnivore diet<\/a> \u2013 where plants are apparently public enemy number one, and raw liver <\/a>is treated like some sort of miracle cure. It\u2019s like paleo had a chaotic love child with a protein shake.<\/p>\n And while social media might have you convinced that chewing on uncooked steak is the ultimate shortcut to six-pack abs, your gut (and your GP) might strongly disagree.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s have a proper look at what\u2019s going on here.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile social media might have you convinced that chewing on uncooked steak is the ultimate shortcut to six-pack abs, your gut (and your GP) might strongly disagree,\u201d Dr. Zac says. ajr_images \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n What even is the carnivore diet?<\/strong><\/p>\n Put simply: meat, meat, and more meat.<\/p>\n If it once had a heartbeat, it\u2019s on the menu. No fruit. No veg. No grains. Not even a lonely lentil in sight.<\/p>\n Some hardcore fans \u2013 and by hardcore I mean TikTok bros shirtless in the snow \u2013 take it even further and go full raw.<\/p>\n According to Dr. Zac, hardcore fans are taking a carnivore diet a step further by consuming raw meat. Dmitry Lobanov \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n Yes, raw liver straight from the fridge like it\u2019s a health food version of sashimi.<\/p>\n The theory? Our ancestors ate this way, plants are packed with \u201canti-nutrients\u201d, and modern carbs are evil.<\/p>\n It\u2019s seductive, especially if you\u2019ve struggled with bloating<\/a>, auto-immune issues or weight gain. But seductive doesn\u2019t mean safe.<\/p>\n Brian Johnson \u2013 better known as Liver King<\/a> \u2013 was the poster boy for raw meat supremacy (not to be confused with Bryan Johnson the dude who wants to live forever<\/a>).<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tKeep up with today\u2019s most important news\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStay up on the very latest with Evening Update.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n He flexed his way to fame, chomping on bull testicles and preaching primal living to millions. Then, late in 2023, came the plot twist: he was hospitalized with dangerously high blood pressure and electrolyte imbalances, and admitted to using steroids<\/a> all along.<\/p>\n In his own words: \u201cI did it to look the part.\u201d<\/p>\n Turns out raw liver doesn\u2019t make you invincible. Who knew?<\/p>\n The reason people are eating raw meat is because \u201cour ancestors ate this way,\u201d and that carbohyrdrates are bad, which are attractive points for someone struggling with bloating, auto-immune issues or weight gain. rh2010 \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n